as in hawk
one who urges or attempts to cause a war
a government dominated by militarists
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as in militaristic
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Recent Examples of militarist
Jeff Kingston, Time, 30 Nov. 2025
David Frum, The Atlantic, 31 Dec. 2025
Noun
At the same time, the barrage of vitriol unleashed by China castigating Takaichi as a warmongering militarist includes a reprehensible threat by the Chinese consul-general in Osaka about beheading Takaichi.
—Jeff Kingston, Time, 30 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Right, in France, means pro-Catholic, pro-militarist.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for militarist
Noun
-
Had 10 pass deflections in 2025 and five interceptions in 2024, and could be a developmental ball-hawk behind Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones (the latter of which is on an expiring deal).—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
That said, Bryant was a ball hawk.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Germany was long seen as hesitant to appear overly militaristic or nationalistic, but the Ukraine war — and now the Iran conflict — has pushed Berlin to increase defense spending and crystallize its own national interests.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
After the United States and Israel killed dozens of Iranian government leaders, the new regime has been filled by members of the Revolutionary Guard who are more hard-line, militaristic, and reckless than their predecessors.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Separatist fighters on Saturday joined Islamic militants in launching one of the biggest coordinated attacks on the Malian army in the capital and several other cities, which left an unknown number of militants dead and at least 16 people wounded, including civilians, the government said.—
Wilson Mcmakin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Israel and Lebanon yesterday agreed to extend a ceasefire by three weeks, though some clashes between Israel and Hezbollah militants have continued, with each accusing the other of breaching the agreement.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In a sea of gray-toned suits and uniforms, the woman trying to soothe her crying baby comes across as an outlier even before a belligerent young salaryman starts screaming at her for disturbing the peace.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Never has the United States had a secretary of defense less capable, more egregiously belligerent, or less suited to provide civilian direction of a war than Pete Hegseth.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Ludwig’s distant paternal ancestors were in fact German Jewish merchants, not warlike princes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
-
To many Chicagoans, the warlike atmosphere is the result of the increasing aggression of the federal government.—
Geraldo Cadava,
New Yorker,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
After the marathon day of negotiations over the weekend failed to secure a deal, Ghalibaf didn’t immediately revert to his bellicose rhetoric.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s bellicose and vengeful rhetoric describing the military’s war in Iran grew out of his experience in Iraq.—
Patricia Cohen Michael Crowley John Ismay David M. Halbfinger,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Militarist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/militarist. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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